MIAMI — With big bucks being lost during spring break, a couple of Miami Beach establishments urged a judge on Friday afternoon to halt the city’s “state of emergency” curfew that city officials say was necessary because of unruly crowds and two shootings last weekend that injured five people.
But they got no satisfaction — so the city’s midnight curfew that started Thursday will continue through Monday.
Miami-Dade Circuit Judge Charles Johnson said he recognized “this is prime time” for the South Beach restaurants, nightclubs and bars, but he said the city has a “compelling interest” to keep the public safe during the peak of the tourist season. Johnson said he expected the two establishments, Papi Steak restaurant and Treehouse nightclub, to appeal his decision so a higher court could review their challenges immediately.
